Sandra Chapman/Eyewitness News
Hendricks County - Avon's new town council is facing more than one threat of a lawsuit after its newly elected president demoted the town's long-time police chief. The swift action came after the council president took his oath of office.
"You know when you start from scratch - when I started I was in a closet at the fire department," said former Avon Police Chief Jeff Ritorto.
Ten years after opening the doors to the Avon Police Department, Chief Ritorto is packing up. He was demoted as the town's top cop just hours after the town council elected Mike Rogers president.
"Elected officials have the right to appoint their department heads," said Tom Klein, Avon town manager.
Klein spoke on behalf of the president and council, which are now embroiled in a town dispute and possible legal action over a closed meeting where the demotion was announced.
"We could not discuss people we did not have jurisidiction over," said Kathryn Miller, Avon Town Council.
"This is a new administration. They weren't in office 24 hours - about 20 hours and they commit their first open records violation," said Allen Yackey, former town attorney for Avon.
In addition to removing the chief, the council president also replaced 16 of the town's 22 commissioners. Ritorto says unlike the commissioners, he has a valid employment contract through the end of 2007. He's been down this road before.
"The town council president was on the town council when they removed me the first time and broke my employment contract then as well. So it's a pattern of the same type of activity," he said.
The ouster comes as the town breaks ground for a new $2 million police station. Ritorto had hoped to lead his force of 19 into their new digs in September.
"Jeff has a job. He is a lieutenant. He's served the town," said Klein.
But the attorney who helped the Town of Avon to incorporate says it's about open government and elected officials following the rules. "Everybody is subject to the law. Nobody is above it," said Allen Yackey.
Former Hendricks County Chief Deputy Jack Miller will be sworn in as Avon's new chief next Tuesday. Miller also led the Plainfield Police Department for 14 years and helped it gain its accreditation.
Ritorto, a former IPD officer, will continue to receive his chief's salary of $60,000. He says Avon officers deserve a facility they can be proud of.
